HAEMOGLOBIN TYPE, HAEMATOLOGY AND MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MUSCOVY DUCKS REARED IN CALABAR, NIGERIA
Abstract
This study determined the haemoglobin polymorphism, haematology and morphometric characteristics of Muscovy ducks. A total of 80 adult Muscovy ducks (40 per sex) respectively were used for the study which lasted 60 days Blood samples of the ducks were collected and analysed for haemoglobin type and haematological traits while body weight (BWT) and body parts such as body girth (BG), wing length (WL), keel length (KL), shank length (SL), body length (BL) and thigh length (TL) were taken and subjected to one –way ANOVA. Drakes exhibited significantly (P<0.05) higher values in body girth, body length and thigh length than the ducks. Average values recorded were BWT (2040 g), BC (30.43cm), KL (25.75cm), BL (25.78cm) and TL (4.85cm). Haemoglobin types found were Hb AA, AB and BB, males being predominantly of Hb BB and females of Hb AA. Genotype frequencies were AA (39.14%), AB (30.43%) and BB (30.43%). Some average haematological values recorded were Packed Cell Volume (29.86%), Erythrocytes Sedimentation Rate (ESR) (7.34mm/hr), Haemoglobin Concentration (11.93g/dl), Red Blood Cell Counts (2.4 × 106/L) and White Blood Cell (1.98 × 103/L). Results of body morphometry from this research can serve as important foundation for characterization, conservation and improvement of the duck in Calabar. Establishment of the haemoglobin types is a precursor to the determination of its relationship(s) with economic traits in the birds. Haematological values indicated that the ducks were in normal condition of health and growth.Copyright (c) 2021 Victoria Nneoma Ebegbulem
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